Lawyers drained Linda Brice's bank account and seized a quarter of her take-home pay, or more than $900 a month. Brice, a first-grade teacher and Coast Guard veteran, begged for mercy, saying she couldn't afford food, gas or utilities.

Hundreds of thousands of Black and Hispanic homeowners, including many in metro Phoenix, were saddled with higher mortgage fees and interest rates during the housing boom than White borrowers, federal officials say.

Hundreds of thousands of Black and Hispanic homeowners, including many in metro Phoenix, were saddled with higher mortgage fees and interest rates during the housing boom than White borrowers, federal officials say.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey vowed anew Thursday to crack down on crooked politicians and public officials, dismissing critics who accuse the Justice Department of letting partisan loyalties interfere with corruption cases.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey vowed anew Thursday to crack down on crooked politicians and public officials, dismissing critics who accuse the Justice Department of letting partisan loyalties interfere with corruption cases.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey vowed anew Thursday to crack down on crooked politicians and public officials, dismissing critics who accuse the Justice Department of letting partisan loyalties interfere with corruption cases.